Bucs Break 4-Game Losing Streak, Beat Cardinals 30-27
Throughout their four-game losing streak, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had plenty of opportunities to turn those defeats into victories, but they simply couldn't finish.
They finally did against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, closing out a 30-27 victory over head coach Bruce Arians' former team.
Jamel Dean's fourth-quarter interception inside the 10-yard line and another defensive stop in the game's final seconds helped the Bucs seal their first home win of the season after enduring a seven-week stretch without a game at Raymond James Stadium.
Tampa Bay's offense answered the bell in key situations all game long, mounting a touchdown drive in the final minute of the first half to take a 17-13 lead after the Cardinals scored late in the second quarter, then doing the same to take the lead back near the end of the game.
Jameis Winston out-dueled Cardinals rookie quarterback Kyler Murray, the Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, becoming the first player in Bucs history to throw for more than 300 yards in four straight games. Winston finished the game with 358 yards and a touchdown through the air, with two interceptions.
Tampa Bay's defense made sure Winston's interceptions didn't hurt the team too bad, holding the Cardinals to a field goal after the first one, and taking the ball back themselves after the second. Shaq Barrett tallied another sack, keeping him in the league lead with 11.5 on the season.
Murray had a strong outing himself, throwing for 324 yards and three scores, all to Christian Kirk, who burned Tampa Bay's young secondary all afternoon long. Tampa Bay's vaunted rush defense lived up to their billing, holding David Johnson and Kenyan Drake to a combined for just 37 yards on 15 carries. Murray led the Cardinals with 38 rushing yards on just three attempts.
Tampa Bay's win moves them to 3-6 on the season, and they'll host a key division game next week when the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints come to town.
